HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury

Illegal drugs in pregnancy

Using illegal drugs while you're pregnant can cause miscarriages, premature birth, birth defects, developmental problems and behavioural problems.

If you use illegal drugs while you're pregnant, your pēpi (baby) might go through withdrawal after birth. The safest thing for you and your pēpi is to avoid taking any illegal drugs while you're pregnant.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Aotearoa – Addictions during pregnancy

  This page has information about using cannabis (marijuana) while pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) factsheets
  • Cocaine and pregnancy
  • Marijuana and pregnancy
  • Methamphetamine and pregnancy

  Although these factsheets are aimed at American readers, the drugs affect pēpi (babies) the same way all over the world.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed December 2021.

Page reference: 124734

Review key: HIPRC-41255